I liked this passage because it points out Emma's utter denial of what's actually going on. She doesn't want to believe that there is a 'hidden' relationship and possibly an engagement between Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill. It is because of her obstinacy and stubborn nature that she refutes the observations made by Mr. Knightley. Mr. Knightley however, has seen evidence of their affections and advances, and yet Emma refuses to listen to reason and see the reality of the situation because she believes herself to be right. Unfortunately we know that her sight can be flawed when considering the motivations and affections of others, as we saw how very mistaken she was about Mr.Elton's feelings in the first Volume. Emma almost seems to be trying to convince herself more than she is Mr. Knightley with this proclamation. She's explaining away the evidence as merely circumstantial, and that their feelings are not of love, but different, and she takes it upon herself to vouch for it on Frank's behalf even if Jane is in love with him.

I thought that this was a really funny remark to start a chapter with. It's a funny little thrust made by the narrator who is commenting on the state of the society that Austen and Emma were surrounded by. The narrator perceives that people tend to be far less critical towards those who have passed on from life into death, or from being an unwed and eligible bachelor into the bounds of marriage. It also seems to suggest that it isn't necessarily done out of any sense of respect or good-will, but the fact that it's more "interesting" or effective to gossip or slander those alive and single, than to do so for those passed on or married. It's harder to speak ill of a dead person, for many within the society would be largely offended and wouldn't stand to hear such injustice and irreverence towards the deceased. Furthermore, it's also difficult to speak ill of a married person, for the chance that they are much more well established than they were prior is very high, and people are less likely to speak ill or gossip about what most people consider to be a good match with a better life for both involved.